Darden Restaurants said Friday it agreed to sell Red Lobster and related real estate assets to investment firm Golden Gate Capital for $2.1 billion, shedding its worst performing chain to pay off some company debt.

In the cash deal, Darden will receive net cash proceeds, after tax and transaction costs, of about $1.6 billion. The Orlando-based restaurant company plans to use $1 billion to pay off debt and use the rest to buy back shares.

Even the iconic McDonald's french fry, a linchpin to the fast-food giant's multibillion-dollar success, is getting a second look as the company seeks new product hits.

On Thursday, the same day McDonald's announced that domestic sales were flat in April, the company confirmed to USA TODAY that it will begin testing seasoned fries -- dubbed Shakin' Flavor Fries -- on Friday in the Northern California and St. Louis markets.